Vern Roberson
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1952)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vern Roberson
| image =
| number = 16, 18, 42, 49{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/players/r/robe00600.html | title=VERN ROBERSON | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=12 May 2025}}
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|8|3}}
| birth_place = Natchitoches, Louisiana, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 195
| high_school = Central (Natchitoches)
| college = Grambling State (1970–1973)
| undraftedyear = 1974
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|1974}})*
- Birmingham Americans (1974)
- Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|1975}}–{{CFL Year|1976}})
- Ottawa Rough Riders ({{CFL Year|1976}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|1977}})
- San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|1978}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|1979}})*
| pfr = R/RobeVe20
| highlights =
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1977)
- CFL All-Star ({{CFL Year|1975}})
- CFL West All-Star ({{CFL Year|1975}})
}}
Vernon Lee Roberson (born August 3, 1952) is an American former professional football defensive back who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at Grambling State University. He also played for the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Early life and college
Vernon Lee Roberson was born on August 3, 1952, in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He was raised on a farm with nine brothers and six sisters. He attended Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches.
Roberson was a member of the Grambling State Tigers of Grambling State University from 1970 to 1973.
Professional career
Roberson signed with the Miami Dolphins after going undrafted in the 1974 NFL draft. {{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/r/robe00600.html | title=Vern Roberson Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=12 May 2025}} On September 12, 1974, it was reported he had been waived.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/172254901/ | title=NFL Transactions | work=The Orlando Sentinel | date=September 12, 1974 | accessdate=12 May 2025 | pages=2D}}
Roberson signed with the Birmingham Americans of the World Football League on September 15, 1974, but was released before playing any games.
Roberson dressed in all 16 games for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1975, recording ten interceptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns, five kickoff returns for 107 yards, and 18 punt returns for 98 yards. The Stampeders finished the year with a 6–10 record.{{cite web | url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1975cflcal.html | title=1975 Calgary Stampeders (CFL) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=12 May 2025}} Roberson earned CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star honors for his performance during the 1975 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-roberver001 | title=Vern Roberson | publisher=Stats Crew | accessdate=12 May 2025}} Roberson dressed in nine games in 1976, totaling three interceptions for 51 yards and three kickoff returns for 77 yards. After Calgary began the 1976 season winless, Roberson requested his release in late September.
Roberson was then claimed off waivers by the Ottawa Rough Riders.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-journal/172256602/ | title=Vern Roberson stands to pick up sizeable cash for month's work | work=The Ottawa Journal | date=October 29, 1976 | accessdate=12 May 2025 | author=Kealey, Clem | pages=24}} He had not planned on playing for the Rough Riders but ended up joining the team after persistence from Ottawa head coach George Brancato. Roberson dressed in two games for the Rough Riders as an injury replacement for Wonder Monds. In November 1976, Roberson voluntarily left the team after a poor performance in the final game of the regular season, stating "it's too cold to play football in Canada."{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/172257631/ | title=A conversation on defence with Saskatchewan's finest | work=The Gazette | date=November 26, 1976 | accessdate=12 May 2025 | author=Burke, Tim}}{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hamilton-spectator/172256489/ | title=Ottawa juggles defence for final | work=The Hamilton Spectator | date=November 20, 1976 | accessdate=12 May 2025 | author=Brown, Stewart | pages=17}}
Roberson signed with the Miami Dolphins in 1977. He played in all 14 games, starting nine, for the Dolphins during the 1977 season and recorded one interception. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team for his performance during the 1977 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1977.htm | title=1977 PFWA All-Rookie Team | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=12 May 2025}}
On April 17, 1978, the Dolphins traded Roberson, Freddie Solomon, a 1978 first round draft pick, and a 1978 fifth round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for Delvin Williams.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer/172257336/ | title=49ers Trade Williams | work=Ledger-Enquirer | date=April 18, 1978 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=12 May 2025}} Roberson appeared in all 16 games, starting 12, for the 49ers in 1978, totaling one interception and two fumble recoveries.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RobeVe20.htm | title=Vern Roberson | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=12 May 2025}} On July 13, 1979, it was reported that he had been waived.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune/172257988/ | title=Two top draftees sign with Niners | work=Oakland Tribune | date=July 13, 1979 | accessdate=12 May 2025 | author=Schoenfeld, Ed | pages=D2}}
Roberson signed with the New York Giants on July 16, 1979, but was later released.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=roberver001 Stats Crew profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberson, Vern}}
Category:Players of American football from Natchitoches, Louisiana
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Players of Canadian football from Louisiana
Category:Canadian football defensive backs
Category:Natchitoches Central High School alumni
Category:Grambling State Tigers football players
Category:Calgary Stampeders players
Category:Ottawa Rough Riders players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:San Francisco 49ers players